Joe Juliano

Inquirer Staff Writer

When he was sidelined for his final collegiate game, his teammates wore his number on their helmets. At that point it was clear, Mike Mauti was the emotional leader of the Nittany Lions, who have endured so much in the 2012 season.

Over the weekend, they made it official: The senior linebacker is their most valuable player, too.

The co-captain, who helped anchor Penn State to an 8-4 finish, was named the team's MVP at the senior banquet on Sunday.

Mauti is the fourth linebacker to be selected Penn State’s Outstanding Senior Player since the award’s inception in 1978. He joins All-Americans Shane Conlan (1986), Paul Posluszny (2006) and Dan Connor (2007).

Mauti was the only Big Ten player ranked in the top 10 in the conference in tackles (7th, 96), interceptions (4th, 3) and forced fumbles (3rd, 3). He also led the Big Ten in interception return yards (125). Mauti had 4.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks (minus-25), three interceptions, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and two pass break-ups. He started the initial 11 games, suffering a knee injury in the first quarter vs. Indiana on Nov. 17 that ended his season.